Geraldton police arrest three boys, aged 10 to 15, following a burglary tip-off in Utakarra

Police arrested three boys after they were allegedly caught red-handed when a woman walking past a property in Utakarra witnessed a burglary. Police received a tip-off from a pedestrian on Saturday about 3.30pm about a burglary she had seen taking place while walking along Castlefin Road in Utakarra. Officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said police were in the area attending another job when they received the call. “A woman was outside the residence — she wasn’t from the property but was walking past — phoned it in,” he said. “Police moved very quickly from another address to the scene.” Sen. Sgt Martin said the suspects stole Coca-Cola cans and a drink coaster, and the police prevented them from stealing anything serious. “It could have been much worse as a residential property burglary,” he said. Sen. Sgt Martin said the three boys aged 10, 12 and 15 were arrested. “It saddens me to see the offender was a 12-year-old from Geraldton who was sent to Banksia Hill,” he said. The 12-year-old and 15-year-old were remanded in custody and charged with aggravated burglary and stealing. They were due in Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday. The 10-year-old was released with a juvenile caution written warning.